Progress begins with a need for change. This is the “genesis”. A founding team that encountered a massive problem worthy to solve. A new CXO brought in to change the course of the company. Greatness, to loosely riff off Shakespeare, is sometimes thrusted upon the leader.
The genesis demands a solution that people can see and understand. This is the “destination”. Long-term destinations are visions. Shorter-term destinations are milestones or goals. It is up to the leader to define and communicate the current destination, in light of evolving operating contexts.
Knowing our “genesis” and “destination” helps define a direction. But to know if we are moving in the correct direction, we need a compass. This is the set of criteria and metrics we use to interpret (qualitative and quantitative) data.
Not everything is static in the real world. There are competitors, who are free-willed agents that pose as threats; and external changes, which are broad developments that impact everyone on the terrain. That is why every leader needs to possess terrain knowledge. This is the business intelligence that helps leaders stay informed about changes in the competition and market landscape.
“genesis + destination + compass + terrain knowledge” is not enough to win. Instead, they lead to the question, “So What?”
Therefore, “meaning” refers to how we assess situations, formulate hypotheses, and thereby solving complex problems step by step. It is this ability to create new possibilities and reframe narratives that separates us from robots.